Henderson County, IL Pioneers Biographies THE ESSEX FAMILY RECORDS Submitted by: Peggy Carey PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties Illinois, Chicago 1894 JOSEPH ESSEX , one of the early settlers of Henderson County, (Illinois) who since 1858 has carried on general farming on section 12, township 10, range 5 west, isa native of Chillicothe, Ohio. His father, Isaac Essex , was a native of Maryland. He was born below Baltimore, on the bank of Chesapeake Bay, and in that locality spent his early childhood. At the age of seventeen he left his native State and removed to Virginia. Later he started westward, and took up his residence in Ross County, Ohio, whence he went to Indianapolis, Ind., about 1830. Four years later he came to Illinois, settling in Rock Island. The remainder of his life was passed in this State, where his death occurred n 1850. In the Essex family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Sarah Van Pelt, Mrs. Eleanor Peckham, Mrs. Maria Call, Mrs. Mary Chapin, Francis Campbell, Joseph, James Doolittle and Solomon Bush . The subject of this sketch received but limited educational advantages, his knowledge having been acquired largely through business experience, reading and observation, and not through school-room drill. At the early age of fifteen he started out to make his own way in the world, and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He began work on a canal-boat, and in this way provided for his own maintenance for some time.At length he turned his attention to farming, and as soon as possible became the owner of a farm In 1850, Mr. Essex was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia A. Bailey , who came of an old Connecticut family, and who has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate along life's journey. Their union has been blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Charles H. and Mary L., the later being now the wife of George Miller , of Biggsville. In 1858, Mr. Essex purchased a tract of land on section 12, township 10 north, range 5 west, and has since made his home thereon, giving his entire time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land. It is nowa rich and fertile tract, and every department of the farm is characterized by and air of neatness and thrift. The owner has led a busy and useful life, yet has found time to devote to public interests, especially to those calculated to prove of public benefit. He votes with the Republican party, and has served as School Director for about six terms. During his long residence in Henderson County he has become widely known, and is held in high regard by all, for he possesses many excellent characteristics. Note: This is the end of the Biography I want to state that there is errors here!! Isaac Essex died 1873 in Mercer Co, IL per his obituary. Joseph D. died in 1914 so the date in this Bio. isn't for either. There was a child on the 1850 Mortality Schedule Rock Island named Joseph Essex, female , age 2ys!! I haven't been able to clarify that child; altho, I have strong data that my line of Essex had connections to the Essex who were pioneers of Stark Co, IL!! PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties Illinois, Chicago 1894 Submitted by: Peggy Carey SWANSON ESSEX , a carpenter and builder now engaged in business in Oquawka, claims this place as his native city. He was born on the 3d of October, 1857, and is the fifth in a family of six children, whose parents were Campbell and Emzy (Smith) Essex . They were numbered among the early settlers of this community, and were prominently identified with its history and pioneer days. Mr. Essex was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, on the 19th of December, 1815, and was of German extraction. In his native city he was reared and educated, and there worked in a store until he had attained his majority. In 1834, he came West, and, locating in Oquawka, engaged in freighting from this place to Peoria for a number of years. He also owned a stone quarry, and furnished stone for a great many of the old buildings of this locality. In later years he worked at the carpenter's trade. A great many Indians still lived in the county at the time of his arrival, and on one occasion, when he was riding along the bluff three miles east of Oquawka, he had the horn shot off his saddle by one of the red men. His death occurred in Oquawka in 1882, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was mourned by many friends. His wife was born in Somerset, Ohio, June 16, 1828, and when a maiden of five summers came to this county with her parents. They were also natives of the Buckeye State, and were of English extraction. In 1833 they took up their residence near Oquawka, where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Essex was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in that faith on the 20th of December, 1892, at the age of sixty-four years. Swanson Essex remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, and in the common schools he acquired a good English education. He, himself, is familiar with many incidents of frontier life, and can also relate many interesting stories of pioneer days told him by his parents. On attaining his majority, he began working at the carpenter's trade in Oquawka, where he has made his home continuously since, although he has done business in the surrounding towns. He is an expert workman, and now, as a contractor and builder, is enjoying a large and lucratiave trade. He always faithfully performs his part of the contract, and therefore has the confidence of all. On the 21st of September, 1876, Mr. Essex was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Hess , a native of Iowa. She was born March 24, 1857, and when quite young came with her parents to Oquawka. Six children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Clyde, Frederick, Eva, Effie, Emma and Verna , all of whom are still at home with their parents. In his political views, Mr. Essex is a Democrat, yet has never sought or desired the emoluments of public office. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which he contributes liberally. He now owns a pleasant home in Oquawka, and has become one of its substantial citizens, as the result of his own enterprise. He has always lived in Oquawka, and here has many friends, including people who have known him from boyhood and those whom he has met in maturer years. Note: My research hasn't proved the Essex were German nor the Smith English! The Essex of Stark Co, IL I am trying to connect with claim to be English. To date I haven't been able to find my Smith line in Henderson Co!! Peggy Carey ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Yvonne James-Henderson (© 1997 Yvonne James-Henderson)